British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office announced today that the United Kingdom will not interfere with the International Criminal Court’s request for an arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This decision marks a change from previous plans put forth by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who was recently removed from office after Starmer’s Labour Party won by a considerable margin in the elections.
A spokesperson for Starmer stated, “This was a proposal by the previous government which was not submitted before the election, and which I can confirm the government will not be pursuing in line with our long-standing position that this is a matter for the court to decide.”
The court’s prosecutor, Karim Khan, brought allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip and Israel against Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and three Hamas leaders. Netanyahu and other Israeli officials criticized the move as disgraceful and antisemitic, with the support of U.S. President Joe Biden and former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
Despite Israel not being a member of the court, the potential warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant could impact their ability to travel but do not pose an immediate risk of prosecution. The ICC had set a deadline for the UK government to file a challenge by Friday, a deadline that was not met with this decision.
Starmer’s choice to refrain from intervening aligns the UK against the stance taken by the United States, emphasizing a commitment to the separation of powers and the rule of law domestically and internationally. This decision comes amidst escalating tensions in the Gaza conflict, with increasing casualties and a rise in antisemitic incidents, complicating an already challenging situation for Starmer and his party.
Labour has faced setbacks in recent years, partially due to its handling of antisemitism allegations and criticism for perceived inaction during the Gaza crisis. Observers note a shift in Starmer’s approach towards Israel, diverging from the U.S.’ standpoint as the conflict in Gaza continues to unfold.
Starmer’s decision to restore funding to UNRWA and support Palestine’s right to be recognized as part of the peace process has been welcomed by human rights organizations. Amnesty International U.K.’s chief executive praised Starmer’s choice not to challenge the ICC’s actions, highlighting the importance of holding perpetrators of war crimes and possible genocide accountable.
